Liverpool will not sell Mohamed Salah under any circumstances this summer, with the club determined that the Egyptian remains central to their pursuit of honours. Salah’s 36 goals in his first season with the club – as well as his inspired performances for his country – has elevated his global status and led to the assumption that it is only a matter of time before Real Madrid and Barcelona make an approach. The Spanish giants have successfully lured away several valuable Anfield assets including Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Luis Suarez and, most recently, Philippe Coutinho. But the Merseyside club are in a position to stand firm and rebuff any approaches. Liverpool resisted the Barcelona move for Coutinho last summer, but only for six months. However, the club’s circumstances are much stronger on and off the pitch now – even compared to January, when they reluctantly conceded defeat in the battle to retain Coutinho. The long-term aim of owners Fenway Sports Group, and manager Jurgen Klopp, is to ensure Liverpool is an ultimate destination for players rather than a stepping-stone club. Liverpool’s footballing and financial situation in recent times made that impossible in recent years, but the club’s Champions League progress this season demonstrates how they are gradually making their way back to the level of the greatest European clubs. Salah is outscoring Messi and is on course to re-write the Premier League record books Perhaps most significant is the club’s growing financial strength. They have not yet spent any of the £142 million received for Coutinho. On top of that, they have already earned about £50 million for reaching the Champions League quarter-finals this year, which will rise should they win the tie with Manchester City. It is a long time since the club were in such a healthy position not only to invest in the team but, just as importantly, to protect the assets that have put them into this position. Salah still has four years left on the deal he signed last summer, since when his value has soared. Liverpool would not even put a price on him but independent valuations would suggest there are few clubs in the world capable of getting close to affording what the Egyptian is now worth. Real, Barcelona and Paris St-Germain have shown that they are prepared to break world record transfer fees. Beyond that, only Manchester City or Manchester United have the finances to compete for him and there is no prospect of Liverpool doing business with a Premier League rival. How Liverpool have improved without Coutinho Coutinho’s extraordinary price demonstrated how the transfer market was influenced by Neymar’s £200 million move from Barcelona to PSG last summer. Conveniently for Liverpool, they now have two-thirds of the Neymar transfer cash as a result of Barcelona replacing him with Coutinho. Klopp has the resources to be one of Europe’s biggest spenders in the next transfer window, and will certainly feel he has the ability to rebuff any efforts to disrupt his squad. Salah’s value, meanwhile, may yet rise even further. He could become the first Liverpool player since Ian Rush to score 40 goals in a season; has the Champions League quarter-final in his sights and will lead Egypt’s efforts at the World Cup. He is already a national hero at home as it was his goal that took his country to Russia.

Alisson: The World Cup starts now - Brazil arrive in Moscow

The Selecao take to the training field on Monday for the first time this month with all the talk still centered around who will replace Neymar

The attacker continues to be linked to a move away from the French capital, but his compatriot is confident he will stay for at least another season

Transfer news & rumours LIVE: Man Utd to fight Madrid for Neymar

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and beyond

Neymar could be back for Coupe de France final, says Silva

The showpiece is scheduled for May 8 and the centre-back hopes his fellow Brazilian will be fit in time, should Paris Saint-Germain get there

Neymar could be back for Coupe de France final, says Silva

The showpiece is scheduled for May 8 and the centre-back hopes his fellow Brazilian will be fit in time, should Paris Saint-Germain get there

Neymar could be back for Coupe de France final, says Silva

The Coupe de France final is scheduled for May 8 and Thiago Silva hopes Neymar will be fit in time, should Paris Saint-Germain get there.

Stunning Di Maria backheel volley denied by brilliant save

Angel di Maria is doing his best to make sure that PSG don’t miss Neymar too much. A regular started since the Brazilian was injured in late February, the Argentinian international did more than score his ninth Ligue 1 goal in the 2-1 win against Nice, or assist Kylian Mbappe’ with an incredible rabona. The Argentine was also denied just before his strike, when he tried to flick a cross with a backheel volley, only for Walter Benitez to palm El Fideo’s effort away.